Why Are Warehouses Good for Solar Panels?

 

Warehouse buildings often have exactly the characteristics that solar installers look for.

​

The roofs can cover thousands of square metres and may have relatively few obstructions compared with residential or traditional commercial buildings.

​

This means a substantial photovoltaic array can potentially be installed without using additional land.

​

Other advantages can include:

​

• large available roof areas

• substantial daytime electricity consumption

• relatively simple panel layouts

• good access for installation

• potential for large-scale generation

• opportunities to combine solar with battery storage

• potential integration with EV and commercial vehicle charging.

​

A roof that currently performs no function beyond protecting the building can effectively become an electricity-generating asset.

​

​

Warehouse Solar Panels

 

Warehouse solar panels work in exactly the same basic way as smaller photovoltaic systems.

​

The panels convert daylight into direct-current electricity.

​

Inverters then convert this electricity into alternating current that can be used throughout the warehouse.

​

Solar-generated electricity is normally consumed within the building first.

​

If the warehouse requires more power than the panels are producing, additional electricity continues to be supplied by the grid.

​

Where the solar array produces more electricity than the warehouse requires, the surplus may potentially be exported or stored within a battery system.

​

​

Reducing Warehouse Electricity Costs

 

Warehouses can consume substantial quantities of electricity.

​

Even relatively simple storage buildings may require continuous lighting, security equipment, computers, communications equipment and material-handling systems.

​

More energy-intensive warehouses can also operate:

​

refrigeration, automated storage systems, conveyor equipment, electric forklifts, ventilation, heating and cooling systems.

​

A solar installation can provide part of this electricity directly from the warehouse roof.

​

Every unit of solar electricity consumed within the building can potentially replace electricity that would otherwise have been purchased from the grid.

​

​

Solar Panels for Distribution Centres

 

Large distribution centres are particularly attractive candidates for commercial solar.

​

Modern logistics buildings frequently have enormous roof areas alongside substantial electrical demand.

​

Automation has also increased the amount of electricity consumed by many distribution facilities.

​

Conveyor systems, automated picking equipment, scanning systems, robotics, lighting and IT infrastructure can all operate for long periods throughout the day.

​

The combination of large roofs and predictable energy consumption can make solar an important part of a distribution centre's energy strategy.

​

​

Solar Panels for Industrial Warehouses

 

Industrial warehouses may use considerably more electricity than buildings used purely for storage.

​

A property incorporating manufacturing, assembly, processing or workshop areas might operate machinery throughout normal daylight hours.

​

This can create a strong match between the electricity being generated by the panels and the electricity being consumed within the building.

​

For this reason, warehouse solar panels and industrial solar systems are often assessed on the basis of the building's actual consumption profile.

​

​

Warehouse Roof Solar Panels

 

Before designing a warehouse roof solar installation, the existing roof needs to be properly assessed.

​

Large commercial roofs vary significantly in construction.

​

Common roof coverings include:

​

• profiled metal sheets

• composite insulated panels

• standing-seam metal roofing

• membrane-covered flat roofs

• fibre-cement sheets

• older industrial roofing systems.

​

The appropriate solar mounting arrangement will depend upon the particular roof construction.

​

The condition and remaining life of the roof should also be considered before installing solar panels intended to remain in position for many years.

​

​

Is the Warehouse Roof Strong Enough for Solar Panels?

 

Structural capacity is an important consideration for warehouse solar installations.

​

Although photovoltaic panels themselves are relatively lightweight, the overall installation introduces additional loads onto the roof.

​

These can include the weight of:

the panels, mounting rails, brackets, cables, access equipment and, on some flat roofs, ballast.

​

Wind loading is also important.

Solar panels can be exposed to significant uplift forces, particularly on large open commercial buildings.

​

The proposed installation should therefore be appropriate for the existing structure.

​

For larger projects, structural assessment may form an important part of the design process.

​

​

Solar Panels on Metal Warehouse Roofs

 

Many modern warehouses use lightweight profiled or standing-seam metal roofing.

​

These buildings can be particularly suitable for solar because proprietary mounting systems are available for many commercial metal roof profiles.

​

Depending upon the roof type, solar brackets may attach to the roof structure or clamp onto suitable standing seams.

​

The fixing system needs to maintain the weather resistance of the roof while transferring the appropriate loads safely into the building structure.

​

Correct detailing is particularly important on large installations containing hundreds or thousands of panels.

​

​

Solar Panels on Flat Warehouse Roofs

 

Flat warehouse roofs can also provide excellent solar opportunities.

​

Panels are generally mounted on proprietary frames that hold them at an appropriate inclination.

​

The layout needs to balance several requirements.

​

Panels should receive good solar exposure while avoiding excessive shading from adjacent rows.

​

Access routes may also need to be maintained around rooflights, smoke vents, drainage outlets and mechanical plant.

​

On some flat roofs a ballasted mounting system can be used, reducing the need for penetrations through the roof covering.

​

The additional ballast load must, however, be taken into account when assessing the structure.

​

​

Rooflights and Warehouse Solar Panels

 

Industrial and warehouse roofs commonly contain rooflights to provide natural daylight within the building.

​

These need to be carefully incorporated into the solar panel layout.

​

Solar panels should not obstruct rooflights or interfere with their maintenance.

​

Access and safety considerations are particularly important because some older rooflights can be fragile.

​

The final array should therefore be designed around the existing roof rather than simply covering every available square metre.

​

​

How Many Solar Panels Can a Warehouse Have?

 

Potentially, a very large number.

​

The actual capacity depends upon the usable roof area, panel dimensions, roof orientation, access requirements and obstacles such as rooflights and ventilation equipment.

​

However, physical space is only one consideration.

​

The most appropriate system may not necessarily be the largest system that can fit onto the roof.

​

A commercial solar designer should also examine the building's energy demand.

​

If a warehouse uses relatively little electricity during the day, covering the entire roof may create large amounts of surplus generation.

​

Conversely, an energy-intensive warehouse may benefit from using almost every suitable section of available roof.

​

​

Designing Solar Around Warehouse Energy Use

 

A good commercial solar design starts with understanding electricity consumption.

​

Annual energy bills provide a starting point, but more detailed usage information can be much more valuable.

​

Where available, interval or half-hourly consumption data can show exactly when electricity is being used.

​

This can then be compared with predicted solar generation.

​

For example, a warehouse operating between 7am and 7pm may have a very different solar requirement from an automated distribution centre operating 24 hours a day.

​

The objective is to establish how much solar electricity can realistically be used on site.

​

​

Warehouse Solar Panels and Battery Storage

 

Battery storage can be incorporated into a warehouse solar system where appropriate.

​

Solar electricity generated during periods of lower demand can be stored rather than immediately exported.

​

The stored electricity can then be used later when demand increases or solar output falls.

​

Whether battery storage provides good value depends upon the individual operation.

​

A warehouse consuming nearly all of its solar generation as it is produced may have relatively little excess energy to store.

​

Another building with low daytime demand but high evening consumption may find battery storage more useful.

​

The solar system and battery should therefore be designed together around the building's actual energy profile.

​

​

Solar Panels and Warehouse EV Charging

 

Electric vehicles are becoming increasingly relevant to warehouses and logistics businesses.

​

Electric company cars, delivery vans, forklifts and eventually larger commercial vehicles can substantially increase electrical demand.

​

Combining solar panels for warehouses with EV charging provides an opportunity to generate part of this electricity on site.

​

This can be particularly useful where vehicles are parked or charging at the warehouse during daylight hours.

​

Businesses planning a transition towards electric fleets should therefore consider future vehicle charging requirements when designing their solar installation.

​

​

Solar Panels and Electric Forklifts

 

Many modern warehouses already operate electric forklift trucks and other battery-powered material-handling equipment.

​

These vehicles are routinely recharged within the warehouse.

​

Solar-generated electricity can contribute directly towards this charging demand.

​

Where vehicles are charged during working hours or during scheduled daytime breaks, solar generation and forklift charging can be particularly well matched.

​

​

Refrigerated Warehouses and Solar Power

 

Cold-storage and refrigerated warehouses can be excellent candidates for solar because refrigeration creates a substantial and relatively continuous electrical load.

​

Cooling demand can also increase during warmer, sunnier weather.

​

This creates a useful relationship because solar generation is generally strongest during the same periods when cooling equipment may be working hardest.

​

A correctly designed solar system can therefore contribute directly towards the energy required for refrigeration.

​

​

Solar Panels and Warehouse Air Conditioning

 

Offices, staff areas and specialist warehouse facilities may use substantial amounts of air conditioning.

​

Solar generation can work effectively alongside cooling systems because both electricity generation and cooling demand commonly increase during sunny weather.

​

For buildings with significant summer cooling loads, installing solar can reduce the amount of grid electricity required to operate air-conditioning equipment.

​

​

Warehouse Solar Panel Installation

 

The process normally begins with an assessment of the building.

​

This may include examining:

​

roof construction, roof condition, structural capacity, available area, shading, electrical infrastructure and electricity consumption.

​

The solar array can then be designed around the findings.

​

Large warehouse installations may require careful planning for scaffolding, roof access, fall protection, lifting equipment and installation logistics.

​

The contractor should also consider how installation can take place without unnecessarily interrupting warehouse operations.

​

​

Electrical Infrastructure

 

A large solar installation can generate substantial amounts of electricity.

​

The existing electrical infrastructure therefore needs to be assessed as part of the project.

​

This may include reviewing switchgear, distribution equipment, incoming electrical supplies and proposed inverter locations.

​

Cable routes also need to be planned carefully.

​

A warehouse may have significant distances between the roof-mounted panels, inverter equipment and electrical distribution system.

​

Good electrical design can reduce unnecessary complexity and energy losses.

​

​

Grid Connection for Warehouse Solar

 

Larger commercial solar systems can require greater consideration of their connection to the electricity network than small residential installations.

​

The proposed generating capacity and electrical arrangements need to be established during the design stage.

​

An experienced commercial solar installer should identify the relevant connection requirements early so that they can be incorporated into the project programme.

​

This is particularly important for very large warehouse installations or systems incorporating battery storage and significant EV charging infrastructure.

​

​

Planning Permission for Warehouse Solar Panels

 

The planning requirements for a warehouse solar installation depend upon the building, location and proposed system.

​

Many straightforward rooftop installations may be possible without a conventional planning application, subject to the relevant requirements.

​

However, planning considerations can become more important where the building is sensitive, the panels are unusually prominent or a large ground-mounted solar installation is proposed.

​

Listed buildings, conservation areas and other designated sites can require additional consideration.

​

Checking the planning position at an early stage can prevent problems after the solar system has already been designed.

​

​

Ground-Mounted Solar for Warehouses

 

Some warehouse and distribution sites have substantial surrounding land as well as roof space.

​

Where the roof cannot accommodate the required generation capacity, ground-mounted solar panels may provide another option.

​

Available land, visual impact, access, landscaping and planning considerations all need to be assessed.

​

Ground-mounted arrays can also potentially be combined with warehouse rooftop solar to create a much larger overall generation system.

​

​

Solar Car Parks and Warehouses

 

Another possibility for large logistics and warehouse sites is installing solar canopies over staff or visitor parking areas.

​

These structures provide covered parking while creating additional space for photovoltaic panels.

​

Solar carports can also work particularly well with EV charging because electricity is generated close to the vehicles using it.

​

For businesses with limited suitable roof area but substantial parking provision, solar canopies can form part of the wider renewable-energy strategy.

​

​

How Much Do Warehouse Solar Panels Cost?

 

There is no standard cost because warehouse installations can range from relatively modest systems to very large commercial arrays.

​

Price will depend upon factors including:

​

system capacity, panel specification, inverter equipment, roof construction, access, scaffolding, structural requirements, electrical works and battery storage.

​

Large warehouse installations can benefit from economies of scale, with certain project costs spread across a greater number of panels.

​

However, installation price alone should not be used to judge whether a system provides good value.

​

Predicted generation, electricity consumption and expected long-term savings are more meaningful measures.

​

​

Warehouse Solar Panel Payback

 

The potential payback of a warehouse solar system depends strongly upon how much of the generated electricity is used within the business.

​

Electricity consumed directly on site reduces the amount that must be purchased from the grid.

​

Warehouses with substantial continuous daytime demand can therefore be particularly attractive candidates.

​

A good commercial solar proposal should provide realistic estimates of:

​

anticipated annual generation, on-site solar consumption, surplus electricity and expected savings.

​

This allows businesses to understand how the installation is expected to perform rather than relying solely on headline figures.

​

​

Maintaining Warehouse Solar Panels

 

Solar photovoltaic systems generally require relatively little routine maintenance, but large commercial installations should still be monitored.

​

Modern systems can provide continuous generation data and identify unexpected reductions in performance.

​

Periodic maintenance may include inspection of:

​

panels, mounting systems, electrical connections, inverters and monitoring equipment.

​

Cleaning may occasionally be required where panels experience significant contamination.

​

Access arrangements should ideally be considered when the array is designed so future maintenance can be undertaken safely.

​

​

Choosing a Warehouse Solar Installer

 

Large commercial roof installations require different skills and resources from small domestic solar projects.

​

Businesses should therefore look for contractors with appropriate experience in warehouse and commercial solar installations.

​

A competent installer should understand:

​

commercial roofing systems, large-scale electrical installations, structural requirements, health and safety, access equipment and energy-consumption analysis.

​

When comparing proposals, businesses should consider the complete package rather than choosing purely on installation cost.

​

Panel and inverter specification, warranties, projected generation, monitoring and installation workmanship all contribute towards the long-term value of the system.

​

​

Are Solar Panels Worth It for Warehouses?

 

Warehouses can be among the most suitable commercial properties for solar power.

​

A large roof provides the opportunity for substantial generation while daytime business activity can provide a ready use for the electricity being produced.

​

The strongest opportunities are usually found where a warehouse has:

​

a large suitable roof, good solar exposure, substantial daytime electricity consumption and sufficient structural and electrical capacity.

​

Warehouses planning future electrification, including heat pumps, cooling systems or electric vehicle fleets, may have an additional reason to consider solar as part of their long-term energy strategy.

​

​

Planning Solar Panels for a Warehouse?

 

Installing solar panels for warehouses is about much more than calculating how many photovoltaic panels can physically fit on the roof.

​

The condition and structure of the building, electricity consumption, roof layout, electrical infrastructure, future energy requirements and potential battery storage should all be considered together.

​

A properly designed warehouse solar system can transform a large unused roof into an important source of electricity for the business.

​

APN Solar can help warehouse owners, landlords and businesses connect with experienced commercial solar installers able to assess the property, evaluate its energy requirements and provide proposals for an appropriately designed warehouse solar installation.

​

​